Time for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to step aside: Star-Ledger editorial

AP photoHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., says she will try to keep her Democratic leadership post despite massive election losses that cost her party the House majority.

Today's Star-Ledger editorial calls House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the most effective Democrat in the past few years, but she has been a target of Republican campaign ads, and polling results show the public views her negatively.

The editorial notes:

"Even in New Jersey, GOP candidates attacked Democrats by underscoring their ties to Pelosi."

While calling it unfair, the newspaper points out that she is no longer
an effective spokeswoman for the Democratic Party and this reality
requires a change in leadership.

Pelosi can take solace in that she was a leader in the House that approved major, historic legislation, including health care, financial reform, economic stimulus and climate change.